Warrego Highway upgrades shift into second phase

Contract awarded to continue $40 million safety upgrades between Oakey and Miles

Project to improve safety through road widening and intersection upgrades

Toowoomba based construction company FK Gardner and Sons has secured the contract to build the second phase of the $40 million Oakey to Miles safety project.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the project was part of the Australian Government's ongoing commitment to improve Queensland's road network and reduce road trauma.

“The Australian Government is investing $32 million—and the Queensland Government $8 million—in the upgrades being done between Oakey and Miles, as part of our broader commitment to improving the state's road network and reducing road trauma,” Mr Chester said.

“The works are a critical part of the $635 million Warrego Highway Upgrade Program, which is gaining momentum and helping improve driver safety by building wider roads, new turning lanes and better signage.”

Federal Member for Groom John McVeigh said work on the suite of short-term projects was expected to start in coming weeks and take about nine months to complete.

“These works will consist of various road treatments, which will improve safety on one of the busiest sections of the Warrego Highway, west of Toowoomba. This stretch of the highway is heavily used by road trains and other heavy vehicles, which share the road with local and visiting motorists,” Dr McVeigh said.

Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud said the upgrades came after careful consideration and assessment of road crash history, crash likelihood and severity, as well as motorist feedback.

“To ensure all drivers have a safer trip, we will be upgrading five intersections in high-speed rural areas to the west of Toowoomba, including Devon Park Road, Bowenville-Norwin Road, Newton-Stephens Road, Macalister-Bell Road and Brownlies Road,” Mr Littleproud said.

“The Station Street intersection in the town of Jondaryan will also be upgraded and there will be some widening of sections of road near Brigalow. Minor safety works will also be undertaken, including removing or trimming trees within the clear zone, installing signs, repairing edge drops and flattening steep road slopes.”

The $635 million WHUP is a package of 15 projects on the Warrego Highway, between Toowoomba and Miles and is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments on an 80:20 funding split.